District 39 Tree Care Team
A collaborative effort between Council Member Shahana Hanif’s Office, Big Reuse, and civic organizations in District 39 to host tree care events, share resources, and promote public education about trees!
Check out the Participating Organizations!
The Office of Council Member Hanif, The Cobble Hill Association, The Cobble Hill Tree Fund, Forth on Fourth Avenue (FOFA), The Park Slope Civic Council, The Kensington Stewards, Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID, The Singing Winds/The Flutura Effect, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, The Old Stone House, and Big Reuse
Did you know that . . .
Our trees are a living, breathing part of our community, delivering important ecological benefits like intercepting stormwater, conserving energy, and removing air pollutants – and, of course, beautifying our neighborhoods.
- 1 tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, which is equal to 11,000 miles of car emissions
- NYC trees reduce stormwater runoff by 890.6 million gallons annually
- On average, trees reduce temperatures by 3.06 degrees
*Data taken from Street Tree Care Guide: Steward Neighborhood Street Trees” Big Reuse, page 4.
Trees have amazing benefits, but being a city tree isn’t easy!
They face many harsh conditions, including pollution, foot traffic, and dog waste. We need all hands on deck to care for our trees and ensure our tree canopy is preserved for future generations.
Join a Tree Care Event
Are you interested in joining a tree care event as a volunteer?
Are you part of a smaller organization (ex., school green team or block association) that would be interested in co-sponsoring an event? Sign up on our Interest Form
Upcoming Fall 2025 + Spring 2026 District 39 Tree Care Event Calendar
Stay tuned – this page will be updated with a list of upcoming tree care events in August. Sign up on the volunteer interest form to be notified.
Right image: Street tree care event led by Gowanus Canal Conservancy.
1. Watering is the MOST important thing you can do! Due to the pollution and heavy foot traffic, New York City’s soil has difficulty absorbing water. This means the soil needs to be cultivated or loosened so that the water can reach the tree’s roots.
- Using a hand cultivator, carefully loosen the top 2-3 inches of soil to alleviate compaction and help water and air reach the roots.
- Water each young tree 15-20 gallons once a week between May and October (that’s 3-4 large buckets).
2. Remove Litter + Weeds from the tree bed! Street trees in urban settings are very resilient, but being on the public right-of-way can leave them vulnerable to deposits of debris, litter, and waste that can be harmful to their survival.
- Wear gloves. When removing weeds, take out the entire root system. Leaving some of the plant in the tree bed will allow the weed to grow back. Use trowels or weeders to dig out stubborn roots. Learn more about best weeding practices.)
- Are you a dog owner? Keep dogs and dog waste (both liquid and solid) away from the tree. The waste will overwhelm a tree, burning its trunk and disrupting the balance of soil nutrients.
3. Mulch and Aerate the Soil: To aerate the soil of your tree bed, take your hand cultivator and rough up the dirt 1-inch to 3-inches down. This will break up the compacted soil, allowing more oxygen to reach the roots.
4. Can I plant in my tree bed? Yes!
- Annuals are preferred, as they generally form less aggressive root systems than perennials and are less likely to compete with the tree for resources.
- Avoid planting within a one-foot radius of the tree itself.
- Do NOT raise the soil level in the tree bed above the grade of the surrounding sidewalk—burying the base of the tree trunk is harmful to the tree.
- Find out more on the Parks Website
- NYC Parks Department Tree Care Guidance
- NYC Parks Department Tree Map
- NYC Parks Department Stewardship Website – Become a Super Steward to lead tree care work in your neighborhood parks!
- How do I get my Tree Pruned? NYC Parks Department Tree Pruning & Requests for Tree Pruning
- Big Reuse Tree Care Event Guide
- How to Keep Your Tree Bed Healthy – Tips from the Park Slope Civic Council
- Register for a Citizen Pruner Class – Trees New York
- Tree Care Resources – Trees New York Gowanus Canal Conservancy Tree Network
- Gardening on a Budget in NYC from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Info includes where to get free mulch (Greenwood Cemetery, Mulchfest, etc.)
- Gardening with Native Plants in Tree Beds
- Autumn Leaves: Should You Collect Them or Leave Them in Place? – Guidance from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Leave the Leaves Article